Rhizical Ballot for 2026 Week 3
Ballot Type: Computer
Submitted: Sept. 13, 2026, 4:04 p.m.
Overall Rationale: Model summary:
This ranking runs on the optimal transport problem. Teams gather "mass" by playing games (more when they win), to which the Sinkhorn algorithm is applied to find the most optimal way to move each team's mass into each ranking slot. Only FBS vs FBS games considered. Factors of assigning mass are estimated quality of opponent (win record*strength of schedule^3) and point margin (up to 17). The model is blind to all other factors (talent, conference, etc.).
Teams Ranked:
| Rank | Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michigan Wolverines
|
3.91 |
| 2 |
Cincinnati Bearcats
|
22.93 |
| 3 |
Duke Blue Devils
|
5.66 |
| 4 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys
|
21.06 |
| 5 |
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0.69 |
| 6 |
UCLA Bruins
|
4.82 |
| 7 |
UMass Minutemen
|
18.17 |
| 8 |
Miami Hurricanes
|
0.00 |
| 9 |
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
|
5.32 |
| 10 |
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0.65 |
| 11 |
Boston College Eagles
|
14.25 |
| 12 |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
|
-2.08 |
| 13 |
Mississippi State Bulldogs
|
2.49 |
| 14 |
Virginia Cavaliers
|
0.42 |
| 15 |
LSU Tigers
|
-1.37 |
| 16 |
Texas Longhorns
|
-3.45 |
| 17 |
SMU Mustangs
|
0.00 |
| 18 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
|
6.34 |
| 19 |
Florida Gators
|
0.44 |
| 20 |
Ole Miss Rebels
|
-1.47 |
| 21 |
Indiana Hoosiers
|
-2.91 |
| 22 |
Texas A&M Aggies
|
-3.70 |
| 23 |
Penn State Nittany Lions
|
-0.49 |
| 24 |
Iowa Hawkeyes
|
-0.39 |
| 25 |
Pittsburgh Panthers
|
0.00 |
Omissions:
| Team | Unusualness |
|---|---|
Georgia Bulldogs
|
4.32 |
Ohio State Buckeyes
|
1.86 |
USC Trojans
|
2.44 |
BYU Cougars
|
2.53 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders
|
1.27 |
Utah Utes
|
1.43 |
Houston Cougars
|
0.43 |
Missouri Tigers
|
0.47 |
Louisville Cardinals
|
0.15 |
Oregon Ducks
|
0.06 |
Total Score: 137.95